Exposed

Mark Pearson jailed for violent disorder after Dover riots

The Right-Wing protester who launched a tirade at a judge in a Dover riot case last week returned to court today… and apologised!

Dad-of-six Mark Pearson had screamed and shouted after appearing by prison video link from his native North East.

Eventually, after being told to keep quiet, the judge pressed the “mute” TV button and the case continued in silence, with Pearson gesticulating wildly.

Today, the 43-year-old sat quietly in the room in Durham Prison to tell Judge Adele Williams: “Your Honour, I do apologise and I am very sorry for the way I went on the other day. I was totally out of order. I shouldn’t have been the way I did (sic)”

But the contrite apology didn’t prevent the judge from jailing him for two years after he admitted violent disorder.

Prosecutor Paul Valder told Canterbury Crown Court how Pearson travelled from his home in Pelton, near Chester le Street, to join a right-wing protest in support of lorry drivers in Dover.

At 3.05pm, Pearson, wearing a camouflage flak jacket and bearing St George flags was caught on camera in Castle Street at the head of a group.

Left-wing thugs then began pelting the group with missiles “which rained down on them”, one of which hit Pearson on the head.

Mr Valder said he is then seen picking up the missile before “suddenly “ running towards the police lines and hurling it back over their heads towards the left-wing protesters.

The court heard that as the rival groups clashed, the left-wing protesters began chanting “Nazi scum” and Pearson with 20 to 30 others then gave a Nazi salute while shouting “Sieg Heil”.

Pearson has a criminal record with more than 80 convictions including eight for public order offences, one of which was racially aggravated.

But his barrister Alexia Zimbler said he denies being a member of any right-wing group, including the English Defence League or the National Front.

She said Pearson had made the 330 mile trip with his 23 year old daughter to support the lorry drivers and was angry that the police weren’t doing more to protect them from the left wing protesters.

“He doesn’t accept that he is a racist and says his views aren’t too right wing.

“But he accepts he lost his temper when the left wingers started shouting “Nazi scum” and reacted accordingly.

Judge Williams told him: “Your behaviour that day was wholly unacceptable. This was serious public disorder on the streets of Dover.”